This stat should make the Panthers want to pay Andrew Norwell

This stat should make the Panthers want to pay Andrew Norwell

As a whole, the Panthers offensive line didn’t have a great 2017 season. One exception to the rule was left guard Andrew Norwell, who had the best year of his career and is set to cash in as a free agent.

According to Pro Football Focus, Norwell did not allow a single hit or sack on Cam Newton all season and only allowed 15 pressures, per Mike Jurecki.

#Panthers OG Andrew Norwell now enters free agency off the back of a career year in which he was one of the best in the game.

He didn’t allow a sack or a hit all season, while surrendering just 15 total pressures across 1,140 snaps and 17 games including the playoffs. @PFF

Norwell will get a lot of interest from the Cardinals and any other guard-needy teams with cash to spend next month if he’s allowed to hit the market.

The Panthers would no doubt love to pay Norwell and keep him in the fold, but that’s going to be expensive.

Last year, Carolina committed four years and $45 million to right guard Trai Turner. Norwell is likely to command just as much on the open market and probably a bit more considering his incredible 2017 campaign. Keeping both around was always going to be a difficult proposition. Also, investing $100+ million in two guards when there are many other holes to fill on the roster might not be the greatest idea, either.

In any case, Norwell is going to get paid like an elite lineman no matter where he signs.

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